In the context of the gig economy, which is driven by digital platforms that use algorithms to facilitate various forms of work, occupational health and safety concerns are especially pronounced.
The gig platform model, where success is measured by customer satisfaction rather than worker well-being, often leads to exploitation and inadequate protection for workers . The traditional frameworks for occupational health and safety are proving to be inadequate for the gig economy.
Dehumanization of platform work
There are growing concerns about the dehumanization of platform work because of the increasing use of automation and artificial intelligence.
This lack of human-to-human interaction can lead to a psychosocial instability. This shift can be harmful, as it prevents individuals from engaging in activities that contribute to self-empowerment and fulfilment at work .
A Canadian study on job insecurity and mental health found that subjective measures (such as perceived job insecurity) and objective measures (like the probability of joblessness) are associated with heightened psychological distress in working-age individuals.
Another study emphasizes the key role of work in developing and maintaining psychological health, as work fulfils various fundamental human needs, such as survival, relatedness and self-determination.
However, there isn’t enough evidence yet to establish whether platform work is associated with positive indicators of psychosocial stability , such as lower levels of depression, increased psychological resilience and greater self-esteem.
These determinants include broader social structures (such as race, socioeconomic status, immigration status and gender), employment (such as compensation and benefits) and regulatory frameworks (including the deregulation of the workforce, outsourcing and competitive bidding).
Social determinants of health are shaped by the distribution of money, power and resources at global, national and local levels. They are primarily responsible for health inequities — the unfair and avoidable differences in health status observed within and between countries.
Existing studies have examined the connections between work and health , or work and migration , but little research has addressed the nexus of platform work and social determinants of health.
Entrenched social structures
Despite these challenges, there is growing awareness about the need to improve occupational health and safety standards within the gig economy. A central challenge to achieving this is addressing the social structures that are entrenched in occupational health and safety policies and practices that contribute to worker vulnerability and illness.
As a result, the specific needs and challenges of these groups may be overlooked, leading to gaps in protection and support that perpetuate health disparities and poor working conditions . This is especially the case in decentralized workforces like the platform economy.
As the nature of work continues to change, it will be crucial to adopt a comprehensive approach to occupational health and safety that considers social determinants of health and addresses the unique challenges faced by marginalized groups. All workers deserve to have their health and well-being protected, regardless of their employment status.
Atieh Razavi Yekta receives funding from WorkSafeBC research program.
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